All posts by Submitted Story

Obituary

Obituary of Harvalee Waltmire

Leave a comment

Harvalee Waltmire, 86, of Fulton, Kansas, passed away Monday, July 10, 2023 surrounded by family.

Born in Fort Scott, Kansas on March 29, 1937, to the late Hollis and Alice Waltmire. Hollis passed before Harvalee’s birth, and he was lovingly raised by Alice and the only father Harv ever knew, Bill Fisher.

Harvalee met the love of his life Janice Good at Mound City High School in 1955 and the two were married on June 22, 1958. Harvalee found joy in simple pleasures, spending time in nature, hunting, fishing, gardening, and riding motorcycles with his family. He appreciated his work as a meat cutter for nearly 40 years, known for his skill and taking the time to share a smile and a story.

An avid handyman and craftsman, Harv spent many hours woodworking. There wasn’t a request, repair, or project he wouldn’t take on. Above all else, Harvalee will be remembered by family, friends, and neighbors for his loving kindness and generosity in all forms.

He is survived by his loving wife, Janice; children: Vera (Jeff) Heller of Houston, TX, Brian (Gina) Waltmire of Overland Park, KS; grandchildren: Rachel, Brooke, Samantha, Max; seven great-grandchildren; brother: Bill Fisher of Pensacola, FL.

Rev. Chuck Russell will conduct funeral services Friday, July 14, 2023 at 10:30 A.M. at the Fulton United Methodist Church, Fulton, KS.

Burial will follow in the Osage Cemetery.

Memorial are suggested to the Fulton United Methodist Church and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, P.O. Box 347, Ft. Scott, KS 66701.  Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

 

Food, Government, Kansas

Special Hunting Access this Fall Through Free Draw

Leave a comment

KDWP to Offer Special Hunting Access this Fall Through Free Draw

PRATT – Exclusive access to land not normally open to hunting and above average success rates… Sound like an expensive hunting lease? Well, it’s not. The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks’ Special Hunts program provides hundreds of such hunts each fall and winter, and what’s even better? There’s no charge – all you have to do is apply and be selected.

KDWP’s Special Hunts program offers hunting opportunities with limited access to public and private lands, including select refuge areas, for deer, upland game, waterfowl, doves, turkey and furbearers.

Applications must be made online here, https://programs.ksoutdoors.com/2023-Fall-Winter-Hunts, and a random drawing will determine who is selected.

This fall and winter, KDWP is offering more than 350 individual “Special Hunt” opportunities.

The application period opened July 8, 2023, with the application draw dates as follows:

  • First Draw Hunts (hunts occurring in September and October) – Aug. 7, 2023
  • Second Draw Hunts (hunts occurring in November and December) – Sept. 25, 2023
  • Third Draw Hunts (hunts occurring in January and February) – Dec. 11, 2023

Resident or nonresident hunters may apply, though some hunts are restricted to residents only. When applying online, hunters will select hunts by species, date and category, which include “Open,” “Youth,” or “Mentored” hunts. All applicants are eligible to apply for Open Hunts, regardless of age or hunting experience. Youth Hunts require parties to include at least one hunter age 18 or younger, accompanied by an adult age 21 or older (who may not hunt). And Mentored Hunts are open to both youth and novice hunters supervised by a mentor age 21 or older (who may also hunt).

E-mail notifications are sent to both “successful” and “unsuccessful” applicants within two business weeks of the drawing. Successful applicants will also be emailed their hunt permit, as well as area maps and other pertinent information. Hunters are responsible for purchasing necessary licenses and permits required by law.

For more information on KDWP’s Special Hunts Program, visit https://ksoutdoors.com/Hunting/Special-Hunts-Information.

###

Obituary

Obituary of James Hite

Leave a comment

James Marlyn Hite was born on February 18, 1947, in Moran, Kansas, to John M. Hite and Marianna Koch Hite.

He died peacefully at home on Sunday, July 9, 2023, at the age of 76 with his family surrounding him.  He grew up in the Uniontown/Redfield area, attended grade school in Redfield and graduated from Fort Scott High School in 1965.  He attended Fort Scott Community College after graduation.

Jim and Doris were married on December 26, 1969, at First Missionary Baptist Church in Uniontown.  He later completed his degree in education after he and Doris moved to Wichita.

Jim is preceded in death by both his mother and his father.

He is survived by his wife, Doris Hite, of the home in Wichita, three sons, Christopher J. Hite of Wichita, Joshua D. Hite of Wichita, and Timothy M. Hite (Chantal) of Troy, Missouri, and one sister, Diana Hite Ford of Wichita.  He has ten grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.  He loved his family dearly and took great pride in them.  He never missed a practice or a game when his sons were playing sports.  He even changed his work schedule so he could attend the games.

 

Jim was on staff at the Wichita Baptist Tabernacle and taught in the Baptist Tabernacle School shortly after he and Doris moved to Wichita.  He joined American Family Insurance as an insurance underwriter in 1986 and later changed to an insurance claims adjuster.  He retired from American Family in 2012.

 

Jim loved being in the yard, planting flowers and a garden.  It was his stress reliever.  He loved red canna bulbs and red geraniums.  And, of course, when he was in high school, he loved muscle cars, which he and his friends always drove.  In fact, on his first date with Doris, he got a ticket for loud pipes.  She never let him forget that.

 

Jim loved the Lord and was so ready to meet Him.  He was not afraid of death because he had assurance of his destination.

 

Services will be held for him at Newspring Church in Wichita, Kansas, at 10:30 Thursday morning, July 13, 2023, with burial in Uniontown Cemetery at 3:00 pm.

Donations in place of flowers may be made to divinenest.com, which is a non-profit organization that supports and trains foster and adoptive families.

It was an important organization to Jim because of the amazing work they do and the heart they have for kids going through traumatic events. His son, Tim, is the Associate Director.

Services are under the direction of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main St., Fort Scott, KS 66701.  Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

 

Bourbon County, Government

Special Meeting Agenda for Bo Co Commission at 4 p.m. Today

Leave a comment

 

 

Bourbon County Courthouse

210 S. National Ave Fort Scott, KS 66701 Phone: 620-223-3800

Fax: 620-223-5832

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bourbon County, Kansas

Nelson Blythe

1st District Commissioner

Jim Harris, Chairman

2nd District Commissioner

Clifton Beth

3rd District Commissioner

 

 

Bourbon County Commission Agenda 210 S. National Ave.

Fort Scott, KS 66701

 

July 10, 2023 4:00

 

  1. Call Meeting to Order
  2. Executive Session KSA 75-4319(b)(4)
  • Adjourn Meeting

 

 

 

Executive Session Justifications:

 

KSA 75-4319 (b)(1) to discuss personnel matters of individual nonelected personnel to protect their privacy.

KSA 75-4319 (b)(2) for consultation with an attorney for the public body or agency which would be deemed privileged in the

attorney-client relationship.

KSA 75-4319 (b)(3) to discuss matters relating to employer/employee negotiations whether or not in consultation with the

representative(s) of               the body or agency.

KSA 75-4319 (b)(4) to discuss data relating to financial affairs or trade secrets of corporations, partnerships, trust and individual     proprietorships

KSA 75-4319 (b)(6) for the preliminary discussion of the acquisition of real property.

KSA 75-4319 (b)(12) to discuss matters relating to the security measures, if the discussion of such matters at an open meeting

would jeopardize such security measures.

 

Fort Scott, Jobs, Schools

U234 Job Fair Today

Leave a comment

USD 234 Job Fair!

Come join the Tiger Family!

USD 234 will be hosting a Job Fair on July 11th, 2023 from 11am-4pm and July 12th,2023 from 2pm-7pm.

This event will be held in the FSMS – Flex Space

(on the South Side of the Building)

1105 E. 12th St.

For more information contact the Board of Education at

620.223.0800 or visit their website at www.usd234.org
Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce | 231 E. Wall Street, Fort Scott, KS 66701
Obituary

Obituary of Frankie Shrakes

1 Comment

Frankie Shrakes, Jr., age 74, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away Friday, July 7, 2023, at his home.  He was born September 5, 1948, in Ft. Scott, the son of Frank Shrakes and Velma “Dolly” McDaniel Shrakes.  He married Gail L. Guffey on June 6, 1966, at Ft. Scott.

Frankie worked for twenty-five years at Peerless Products in Ft. Scott.  He had a knack for working on engines, and following his retirement from Peerless, he operated his own small engine repair shop.

In his younger days, Frankie enjoyed playing softball and racing go-carts and stock cars.  He also enjoyed fishing and occasionally participated in area bass tournaments.

He attended Ft. Scott Church of the Nazarene.

 

Survivors include his daughters, Teresa Shrakes of Ft. Scott, Heidi Dixon (Rob) also of Ft. Scott and DiAnna Dakon (Ronald) of Smithville, Missouri; seven grandchildren, Ricky Ann Vargas (Ariel), Austin Shelden, Alek Shelden (Megan), Ashton Dixon. Jacob Mein, Nickolas Dakon, and Skylar Dakon; three great-grandchildren, Lola, Santiago and Laney Vargas.  Also surviving are four brothers, John “Duke” Zabrinas, Donald Shrakes, Ronnie Shrakes, and Larry Shrakes and three sisters, Carol Shrakes, Kathy Shrakes and Janet Shrakes and a special cousin J.R. Stewart (Wendy) of Ft. Scott.

Frankie was preceded in death by his wife, Gail, on October 7, 2022.

 

Rev. Virgil Peck will conduct funeral services at 10:30 A.M. Wednesday, July 12th at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Burial will follow in the Centerville Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 P.M. Tuesday at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Memorials are suggested to Care to Share and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, P.O. Box 347, Ft. Scott, KS 66701.  Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

Entertainment, Fort Scott

“Dangerous” Doug Harper Performs At Friday Night Free Concert

Leave a comment

“Dangerous” Doug Harper will take the stage at 7 p.m. for the Friday Night Concert at the Heritage Park Pavilion at 1st and Main streets.

Harper is a returning musician, bringing many songs he’s written himself. A native of Nevada, Mo., Harper has been singing and playing guitar for many years. His career began with playing in bands, and toured through 38 states with Nevada’s Marci Mitchell, before Harper went solo in 2012.

Harper writes “modern folk songs,” but also performs some traditional songs. He calls his genre “subferior” because he said it’s “kind of country, kind of rock and kind of folk, which means there’s less instruments.”
Currently he performs in many nursing homes and coffee shops and said he likes the close connection to his audience.

Harper self-produces a couple of albums a year. When he’s not working in the theatre department at Cottey College as a technical director, he also produces a podcast, “Lunch With Doug” and a magazine, “Local Ear,” which can be picked up in 12 states.

“We welcome Doug back to the stage,” concert organizer Ralph Carlson said. “It’s always a pleasure to have local musicians bring their original music.”

The concert is free and seating is limited, so bring a lawn chair. In the event of inclement weather or extreme heat, the concert will moved to Common Ground Coffee at 12 E. Wall St.

Sound support is provided by Dave’s Music Gear and Jim Butler. The concert series is sponsored by the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce.

Bourbon County, Government

The Bourbon County Commission Agenda for July 10

Leave a comment

Bourbon County Courthouse

210 S. National Ave Fort Scott, KS 66701 Phone: 620-223-3800

Fax: 620-223-583

Bourbon County, Kansas

Nelson Blythe

1st District Commissioner

Jim Harris, Chairman

2nd District Commissioner

Clifton Beth

3rd District Commissioner

 

 

Bourbon County Commission Agenda 210 S. National Ave.

Fort Scott, KS 66701

 

July 10, 2023 4:30 p.m.

 

  1. Call Meeting to Order
  2. Flag Salute followed by Prayer
  • Budget Work Session from 4:30-6:30 p.m.
  1. Approval of Consent agenda
    1. Minutes from 6/26/2023, 6/28/2023, and 7/3/2023
    2. Approval of Payroll totaling $216,424.52
    3. Approval of Accounts Payable Totaling $392,442.81
  2. Department Updates
    1. Public Works
  3. James Malveaux-Ditching Issue
  • Jennifer Hawkins, County Clerk-Real Property Relief Application 11 N. Barbee
  • Clifton Beth-Healthcare
  1. Clifton Beth-Executive Session KSA 75-4319(b)(4)
  2. Justin Meeks-Executive Session KSA 75-4319(b)(2)
  3. Public Comments
  • Commission Comments
  • Meeting Adjourn

 

 

 

 

Executive Session Justifications:

 

KSA 75-4319 (b)(1) to discuss personnel matters of individual nonelected personnel to protect their privacy.

KSA 75-4319 (b)(2) for consultation with an attorney for the public body or agency which would be deemed privileged in the

attorney-client relationship.

KSA 75-4319 (b)(3) to discuss matters relating to employer/employee negotiations whether or not in consultation with the

representative(s) of               the body or agency.

KSA 75-4319 (b)(4) to discuss data relating to financial affairs or trade secrets of corporations, partnerships, trust and individual     proprietorships

KSA 75-4319 (b)(6) for the preliminary discussion of the acquisition of real property.

KSA 75-4319 (b)(12) to discuss matters relating to the security measures, if the discussion of such matters at an open meeting

would jeopardize such security measures.

 

Opinion

Nothing Secondhand by Carolyn Tucker

Leave a comment

Keys to the Kingdom By Carolyn Tucker

One of my favorite things to do is shop at thrift stores. This is tremendous fun for me because I never know what unique secondhand treasure I’ll find. My friend Misty gave
me a framed wall hanging with a quote from J.S. Bach that reads: “Music hath no end other than the glory of God and the recreation of the soul.” Very well said, and this lovely gift was purchased at a flea market.

Both my son-in-law Levi and I like the movie, “Secondhand Lions.” The plot is about a 14-year-old boy who is sent to live with his eccentric and reclusive great uncles on a ramshackle farm in Texas. The bachelor uncles order a lion for a wild game hunt on their
farm. But when the “king of the jungle” was delivered and unloaded, all they had for their money was an old worn-out retired circus lioness, so she was turned over to the boy as a
pet. He loved her, even though the secondhand lioness had seen better days.

Toward the end of the movie, the two aging uncles considered themselves just “a couple of has- beens“ right along with the lioness.

There’s nothing secondhand about God. “The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is His faithfulness; His mercies begin afresh each morning”

(Lamentations 3:22,23 NLT). While I sleep, His loving goodness is restocked and available when my feet hit the floor in the morning. Believers know their heavenly Father firsthand and understand that there‘s always new hope for a breakthrough every day.

“Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 5:18 NIV).

Even when we’re in the valley we can be thankful to God.
Why? Because we aren’t without His spiritual blessings that are freely given to us

My pastor says, “There’s no free rides, just free gifts.” God invites us to receive His unfailing love, mercies, hope, faithfulness, peace, and joy. Even if we fail and miss the mark, the mercies and forgiveness of God never cease and that is proof of His trustworthiness.

“Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear Him, on those who hope in His mercy…” (Psalm 33:18 NKJV). God sees, knows, and cares about all who revere and obey Him.

In Genesis Chapter 16, Hagar ran away to the wilderness because Sarai was treating her so harshly. But God found her and spoke to her. Hagar was the only person to give God the Hebrew name “El-roi” which means “the God who sees me.“

You may feel like nobody knows the trouble you’ve seen, but that’s not true. El-roi knows everything you’re going through and He is “at the ready” with new mercies every morning.

Whatever you need, God has it because He’s not short-handed in any way, shape, or form.

“Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened at all, that it cannot save nor His ear dull with deafness that it cannot hear” (Isaiah 59:1 AMP).

God is not about to wear out, retire, give up on you, or throw His hands up and walk away. He is seated on His throne
with the King of the Universe beside Him.

“[Jesus] who has gone into heaven and is at God’s right hand — with angels, authorities, and powers in submission to Him” (1 Peter 3:22 NIV). God has always been, and always will be, faithful in His love and mercies.

The Key: Our firsthand experience with God proves that His mercies never wear out.

Bourbon County, Government

Amended Agenda for Fort Scott City Commission on July 11

Leave a comment

                                                                                              

NOTICE OF AND AGENDA FOR REGULAR        

MEETING OF FORT SCOTT CITY COMMISSION

CITY HALL COMMISSION ROOM – 123 SOUTH MAIN ST.

July 11, 2023 – 6:00 P.M.

 

  1.   Roll Call:
  2.   VanHoecke       K. Harrington       E. Woellhof        M. Guns         M. Wells
  3.   Pledge of Allegiance & Invocation:  Led by T. VanHoecke

III.    Approval of Agenda:

  1. Consent Agenda:
  2. Approval of Minutes of the Regular Meeting of June 20, 2023
  3. Approval of Appropriation Ordinance 1339-A — $1,207,831.66
  4. Request to Pay – Bennett Construction, Inc. via Earles Engineering & Inspection, Inc. – 2022 CDBG Sanitary Sewer Project – Contractor’s Application for No. 2 – Work done June 10, 2023 – June 25, 2023 – $262,723.50
  5. Request to Pay – SEKRPC Grant Admin Services Project 22-PF-016 – Invoice #2 – $4,000.00
  6.   Public Comment:

Sign up required.  Comments on any topic not on agenda and limited to five (5) minutes per person, at Commission’s discretion.

  1. Old Business:

 

  1. Consideration of Phase II Aeration Upgrade to Cell 1B and the Inlet of Cell 2 for Wastewater Treatment Plant – J. Dickman – TABLED FROM JUNE 20, 2023
  2. Approval of CORRECTED Ordinance No. 3746 VACATING PORTION OF BARTEAU STREET – Ordinance No. 3745 originally approved February 7, 2023. Error found during recording process at the Appraiser’s Office. Correction made and ordinance renumbered.

 VII.   Appearances:

  1. Rachel French:  1st Colored Infantry Mural – seeking approval from the                           City Commission
  2. Sarah Klassen:  Old Fort Genealogy – regarding ADA Compliance of the West     Entrance of Memorial Hall
  3. Arnold Schofield:  Discussion of the Design Review Board
  4. Michael Hoyt:  House numbering ordinance and expansion of the Municipal Court
  5. Kendall Schoenrock:  Regarding the DCF Building proposed for Wall Street and National Avenue

VIII.   Public Hearing:  None

  1.  New Business: 
  2. Consideration to approve purchase of a green’s mower package from Professional Turf Products – $12,720.00 – D. Guns
  3. Consideration to close Hospice account – D. Tally
  4. Consideration to purchase 2015 Ford F-250 SD 4×4 EX Cab 4DR F250 Utility Bed ¾ Ton for the Collections Department from Evans Motors in Pittsburg, KS – $29,995.00 – S. Flater
  5. Consideration of Ordinance No. 3747 ESTABLISHING THE REQUIRED HOOKUPS TO THE CITY WATER SYSTEM FOR THE CITY OF FORT SCOTT, KANSAS – Required by the USDA as part of their funding of the River Intake Project – B. Farmer
  6. Consideration of adopting Certified Local Government Program – Design Review Advisory Board option – M. Wells
  7. Selection of Commissioner to represent the City on the Land Bank Advisory Board
  8.   Reports and Comments:
  9. City Manager Comments:
  10. Engineering Comments:
  11. Commissioners Comments:
  12. VanHoecke –
  13. Harrington –
  14. Woellhof –
  15. Guns –
  16. Wells –

 

  1. City Attorney Comments:

 

  1.  Executive Session:

XII.     Adjournment: